Nintendo of America Proposed Breasted Pikachu Alternative, CEO Confirms

Nintendo of America once proposed redesigning Pikachu with a more adult appearance, including human-like breasts, to appeal to the US market, a suggestion that was ultimately rejected by The Pokémon Company. This revelation stems from a 25-year-old interview with Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, who described the redesign pitch as resembling characters from the Cats musical, specifically a 'tabby cat with huge breasts.' The Japanese word 'mune,' which can mean either breasts or pectoral muscles, initially caused some translation confusion, but clarifications confirmed the design referenced breasts, akin to those seen on cosplayers at anime conventions. Ishihara found the proposal interesting from a cultural perspective but declined to compete in the market with such a design. Additionally, there were reports of another alternative design featuring a muscular Pikachu, which were also dismissed and never made public. These design proposals highlight the cultural differences in marketing Pokémon between Japan and the West during the franchise's early years.